Magnitude 7.0 earthquake hits Tibet as people flee buildings; injuries reported

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit Baqen County in Nagqu, in China's southwest Tibet Autonomous Region, at 10.33 pm on Thursday 22 October, the China Earthquake Networks Center reported. Local authorities have said there are casualties, but a confirmed death toll has not yet been released.

Epicentre and the moment of the quake

The centre recorded the epicentre at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, at 32.40 degrees north latitude and 93.79 degrees east longitude. Surveillance footage shows the moment the tremor began, with people running out of buildings to escape the shaking.

Emergency response

The China Earthquake Administration activated a Level-II emergency response. The Nagqu Battalion of the Lhasa Fire and Rescue Mobile Detachment sent an advance team of seven firefighters to the affected area, equipped with life-detection devices and specialist rescue gear. Footage shows personnel preparing to depart and vehicles heading toward the area. The teams were dispatched to assess conditions and carry out rescue work.

Known damage

At least two people were injured in a village close to the epicentre, and cracks were reported in several homes in nearby communities. Officials were checking villages around the epicentre for damage and possible casualties.